Athanasius I of Constantinople

His All Holiness Athanasius I was the Patriarch of Constantinople for two periods: from 1289 to 1293 and from 1303 to 1309. He opposed the reunion efforts between Rome and Constantinople current at the time.

Little is known of the early life of Athanasius. He was born in Adrianpole in the year 1230. He was chosen to be patriarch by Emperor Andronicus II Palaeologus in 1289. Athanasius I was a member of the anti-reunion faction in the divided groups of clergy in Constantinople that had been debating the efforts for re-union made by the Roman Catholic Church following the abortive meeting at the Second Council of Lyon in 1274.

During his first term he introduced some ecclesial reforms that were opposed by some of the clergy in Constantinople. He resigned in 1293, but, backed by popular support, he was restored to the patriarchal throne in 1303. During his second term as patriarch he was strongly opposed by the faction of pro-union clergy and was forced to retire in 1310.